Editor's note: Information about candidates is from interviews with Echo staff, or from available campaign materials and websites.
Ypsilanti Township has candidates for the township board and the parks commission on the Nov. 5 ballot. They include:
Supervisor
Candidate: Brenda Stumbo
Party affiliation: Democrat
Public service: Supervisor since 2008, clerk from 1992 to 2008, trustee from 1988 to 1992
Endorsements: Michigan AFL-CIO
Education: Bachelor's degree from Central Michigan University in parks and recreation
Age: 60
Top priorities: On her campaign website, Stumbo said that her vision includes creating a community of opportunity for all residents, by fostering economic development, preserving green spaces, supporting seniors and promoting diversity. She said she wants to make the township the best place to live, work and thrive.
Treasurer
Candidate: Stan Eldridge
Party affiliation: Democrat
Public service: Township trustee from 2004 to 2020, when he was elected as township treasurer; retired Ypsilanti police officer
Education: Associate's degree from Washtenaw Community College, bachelor's degree in business administration and leadership from Concordia University. Graduate of the School of Police Staff and Command at Eastern Michigan University. Graduate of Ypsilanti Public Schools.
Family: Wife and two children
Age: 62
Top priorities: On the township treasurer's page of the township website, Eldridge said that he wants the township to be innovative, efficient and a leader in improving the quality of life for all residents.
Trustees
Candidate: LaResha Thornton
Party affiliation: Democrat
Public service: Teacher, president and chief executive officer of HerStories Inc.
Endorsements: Huron Valley Area Labor Federation, AFL-CIO
Education: Bachelor's degree in criminal justice, with a minor in marketing, from the University of North Alabama
Family: Three daughters, names not specified
Age: 43
Top priorities: If elected, Thornton said she will focus on the mental health and public safety of juveniles in Ypsilanti. She also wants to make housing more affordable, focusing on renter’s rights.
Candidate: Gloria Peterson
Party affiliation: Democrat
Public service: Current township trustee; member of Ypsilanti Township Planning Commission and Destination Ann Arbor; vice-chair of Ypsilanti Community Utilities Authority; former board member of Ypsilanti Township Park Commission; former President of University of Michigan AFSCME Local 1583, former vice president of Huron Valley Labor Council AFL-CIO; former board member of United Way of Washtenaw County; former member Michigan Democratic Party State Central Committee; dormer board member of Michigan AFSCME Council 25
Endorsements: AFSCME Michigan 925
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Top priorities: Peterson said will continue to ensure the township is fiscally sound, continue support for new businesses, focus on job development, support programs for youth and seniors, and address roads and parks. She also aims for economic development, recruiting organizations, both private and nonprofit, and to develop affordable housing.
Candidates: John P. Newman II
Party affiliation: Democrat
Public service: Current township trustee; former Wayne County Budget Analyst and Department Manager; treasurer for the first term of state Rep. Jimmie Wilson’s campaign; volunteer tax preparer for Wayne County and Accounting Aid Society
Endorsements: Michigan AFL-CIO, Huron Valley Area Labor Federation AFL-CIO
Education: Bachelor’s degree in accounting, and a master’s degree in management information systems, from Davenport University
Family: Wife, Karen Newman
Age: 60
Top priorities: If elected, Newman’s focus will be encouraging financial literacy for youth and financial stewardship for residents. He wants the youth of Ypsilanti to properly understand how to make and spend money, and be prepared for more complex financial decisions, like taxes. He also wants to focus on affordable housing and public safety.
Candidate: Karen Lovejoy Roe
Party affiliation: Democrat
Public service: Served 12 years as township clerk, eight years as supervisor and eight years as a trustee. Also served as a Washtenaw County commissioner, on the Ypsilanti Community Utilities Authority Board and the Urban County Executive Committee.
Endorsements: UAW, Huron Valley AFL-CIO
Education: Bachelor’s degree in political science and sociology, and a master’s degree in social science, from Eastern Michigan University
Family: Husband, Rick Roe, and five children.
Age: 69
Top priorities: If elected, Roe wants to get Board of Trustee meetings livestreamed, for more community members to view. She also wants to create more affordable housing, potentially through using vacant lots or working with organizations like Habitat for Humanity. Additionally, she wants to provide better maintenance for nature trails and bike paths, so community members can enjoy nature safely.
Clerk
Candidate: Debbie Swanson
Party affiliation: Democrat
Public service: Current township supervisor, serving for the past four years; Ypsilanti Township Election Commission; and Ypsilanti Township Park Commissioner, served for 20 years, served as park commission secretary and was responsible for preparing park commission minutes
Occupation: Teacher in both the Willow Run Community Schools and Ypsilanti Public Schools
Education: Bachelor's degree in education from Michigan State University, master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from Eastern Michigan University
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Top priorities: Swanson said she will focus on achieving the township's goals through the use of the budgeting process and by seeking grant funding. She supports economic development and wants to review and update the township's policies and procedures, including those regarding voting.
Parks Commission
Candidate: Suzanne LaFrance
Party affiliation: Democrat
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